Last month East Sunbury Football Club fielded their maiden women’s side in the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) division 2.
In their debut game, the Thunder came up against Taylors Lakes, who was also fielding their first women’s side and despite the loss, things looked positive for the future.
The team also has some Greek about it, with Sophia Iosifidis named as the club’s inaugural captain and Ally Salpingidis also in the leadership group.
Iosifidis comes from a soccer background but always wanted to get back into Aussie rules since she played back in uni.
“I did two ACL injuries playing soccer and I just thought, you know what, if I’m going to do another injury, I want to do it with the sport that I’ve always wanted to come back for,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“It’s not the smartest choice, but I’m just going to give footy a try for one last go.”
The primary school teacher was part of Avondale FC, and saw that soccer club’s women’s program grow and having now jumped codes, she’s excited to see what East Sunbury can do with their women’s group.
“It’s always exciting when a club is starting off fresh, especially when they’re promoting women in sport as well,” the third generation Greek Australian said.
“Really nice to be part of it and be the senior woman that younger girls can see a stepping stone toward.”
Salpingidis is all about being a leader to the other women and girls.
The Greek Italian Australian comes from a sporty family but started playing footy three years ago when she was 18.
She told Neos Kosmos she was aiming to be part of the leadership group and wanted to be a person that others can come to when they need something.
“Going into a new team, it’s quite scary for everyone,” she said.
“You just know when you have to step up because lots of people are uncomfortable and it’s kind of like you’re taking the training session into your own hands.
“When training, it’s a lot easier when you have the encouragement behind you. Lots of people are scared to speak up, but when you see all the girls that are in the leadership group do it, they’re more susceptible to following that.
“Then they get around each other and it just makes the environment better.”
She said the exciting thing about being part of a new women’s team is setting the example for the younger girls, adding that when the juniors see there is room to move up in the club, they’re more inclined to stay.
“When juniors see there is no seniors at the club, it’s a bit disheartening.”
“I think because they’ve got us to look up to, it’s motivating for them to keep playing.”
Salpingidis will also be volunteering to help out with the Auskick program and is studying the police entrance exams.
Coach Lisa Borg, having played nearly 200 games herself, said women’s football is getting better as the years go on.
Skills wise especially, given that they are beginning to start playing from a younger age now.
Having first started senior footy over 20 years ago, she has seen its evolution.
“It was a very different vibe,” she said.
“We’ve still got a long way to come with developing the women and the men’s in the same club, but I feel East Sunbury is really on top of it.
“Them years early on, it was hard to mix the men and the women but now it’s a lot more open and it’s a lot more accepting, so we’re getting all walks of life which is awesome.”
